Chapter Ten: Sparks In The Thunder Plains
Amanda's Ramble:
Amanda: Before I begin, I would like to respond to some reviews I've received.
Auron's Biggest Fan: Auron's NOT a dick in this story. How would you feel if you cared for someone, and didn't want to hurt them, and knew that if you allowed them to become close to you, it would cause an indescribable amount of pain? I love Auron, too, but I'm trying to keep him as close to his original characterization as possible. If you don't believe me, I suggest you play through the game again. Auron is very detatched and brusque.
waifunDesired: I really shouldn't respond to this one, as it's a slight spoiler to the story, but I may as well to clear things up a little. When the group reaches the Calm Lands, Lulu's going to ask Ophelia where they should go, as she has knowledge of everything. A bit abashed, Ophelia will reply that she never got past this part in the game, and has no idea where they should head. So she really didn't know Auron was dead because she never got that far. :S Hope that cleared up some things.
Jess: Thank you! I'm so glad you like Ophelia! I tried to make her where readers would like her. I don't really have much more to say than that, but your compliment was so appreciated.
Evrae Altana: Thank you, thank you, thank you! I feel so loved! I'm glad you're enjoying the story, and, as for Ophelia's next summon….well, you're just going to have to wait. Don't worry, though…..any Final Fantasy fan will easily recongnize it. ^-^
Amanda: Well, that's about it. Please, enjoy chapter ten!
Auron: Why am I wearing a collar? And what's with the chain?
Amanda: *blush* Um…I'll explain that later, Auron. Now go and get nakkie.
Auron: o.O
Amanda: *ahem* Please remember to review.
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Ophelia kept her eyes on the sky, flinching at every flash of light. She hated lightning. She heard Rikku yelp and picked up the pace, thankful she wasn't doing the same as the young Al Bhed.
"Syga ed cdub!" the girl wailed, and Ophelia rolled her eyes. She didn't know what Rikku had just said, but it was surely about the lightning. Sighing, she turned her thoughts to other things. Everyone had been giving her strange looks, and she would love to know why. She vaguely wondered if it were from the scene she made with Auron outside of the Farplane, but if so, why should it matter? Of course, Rikku had walked in the conversation she and Auron had had the night before, and had flushed and ran from the room in a hurry.
Whatever. What she and Auron had said to each other had nothing to do with the others. Though her heart still stung from what he said, she knew it was true. Anything beyond a professional relationship was futile, and it would only wrench her battered heart more in the end. But it didn't help, knowing that she would have to see him every day until the Final Summoning, that she would be forced to spend hours in his presence, never being able to express how she felt. And he wasn't helping matters, walking at the head of the group, his back ramrod stiff, never once glancing back. Jerk.
Lightning struck a few feet away, and without thought Ophelia took off like a shot and tucked herself under Auron's jacket, whimpering. He stopped and looked down at her, his collar hiding his face.
"Surely you aren't like her." He jerked a thumb behind him, where Rikku had knocked Wakka over in her attempt to do what Ophelia had. Ophelia nodded, flinching at Auron's irritated sigh. It wasn't her fault the lighting had struck so close.
"The things I deal with," he muttered, pushing his glasses up his nose. "Out, I can't very well walk with you clinging like a growth." Those words hurt, and Ophelia moved back, turning her face to hide the tears that stung her eyes.
"Sorry," she muttered, and moved ahead, trying not to jump at every flash of light. Damn him, he always made her feel so inadequate. She gave an angry sigh and picked up her pace, nearly jogging. There was a travel agency around here somewhere, and she was damned determined that she was going to stop. Mr. I-Have-A-Stick-Up-My-Ass would just have to get over it. She saw the small building in the distance and nearly cheered. It would be nice to take a rest, after nearly wetting herself every time lightning struck nearby. She broke into a run, not heeding Auron's warning, and made her way across the dunes toward the agency, nearly floating on air. That's when it happened.
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Auron watched Ophelia run off, grumbling in irritation. Did that woman care nothing for herself? Of course, it was rather humorous, to see her shoot off across the sand, making a beeline for the small travel agency in the distance. He sighed and slid down the slope, following the quickly retreating figure of the woman he was supposed to be guarding. How she managed to move so fast now when she'd always dragged her feet before, he'd never know. He glanced up again in time to call out to her, seeing the lightning bolt streaking to the ground. She paid him no attention, and he and the others watched in horror as the bolt hit home, flinging Ophelia back a good thirty feet, where she lay in a crumpled heap, not moving.
"Dammit." Auron broke into a run and dodged bolts without thinking, determined to reach his summoner. Though he's told her the night before that their's would be a strictly business relationship, he felt his heart in his throat, and his stomach had dropped to his feet. The others came charging after him, and they all reached Ophelia's small still form at the same time.
Auron bent next to her and checked her pulse. Thankfully, it was still strong. He lifted her into his arms, turning to face the others.
"We go to the agency. Nothing but rest will cure her, and it's getting late besides."
"This is all your fault!" Everyone gave Yuna surprised looks, which she ignored. "If you had been guarding her, she wouldn't have run off by herself. All you've done is make her cry. She was crying when she left, wasn't she?"
Auron's one eye narrowed. "That is none of your concern, Lady Yuna."
Yuna waved a hand angrily. "If you aren't going to be a descent guardian, I will gladly give one of my own so that Ophelia makes it through this pilgrimage in one piece. You insult Wakka for not knowing his priorities, but it is you who need learn your responsibility."
An uncomfortable silence fell over the group. Auron stared at Yuna a long moment, a muscle in his cheek twitching. Finally, with a grunt, he turned and started up the last dune to the agency, leaving the others to follow.
"Good work, ya? It's nice to see somebody stand up to that bastard." Wakka folded his arms across his chest and sent a glare in Auron's direction.
Yuna sighed and shook her head. "I don't understand him. I've seen how he looks at her when no one's looking at him. Yet, it seems as though if she gets too close to reaching him, he pulls away again."
Tidus shrugged. "That's Auron for you. C'mon. We can't really do anything about it tonight, so we may as well head to the travel agency."
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That night, Auron sat in the small room, his gaze carefully on the book in front of him. Ophelia had awoken an hour earlier and left the room without speaking to him. She'd been limping, and he felt a pang of guilt, but he hadn't followed. No doubt it would only cause another scene, and he didn't feel like someone jumping down his throat again.
Finally, giving up on her coming back, he closed the book and sat it on the table, stretching as he stood. A few clicks and snaps later he was undressed, and he suppressed a yawn as he climbed into bed. Soon he was sleeping.
Ophelia crept into the room after midnight, relaxing at the sound of Auron's soft snores. She didn't really want to face him just yet. She slipped in next to him and faced away, trying not to bump into him in the small bed. She'd had a long talk with Yuna, and they'd decided that Ophelia put on a brave face and try to be as detached with Auron as she possibly could.
Auron's snoring ceased, and Ophelia squeezed her eyes shut. Don't let him be awake, she thought. The bed moved under his weight as he shifted to his side, and she felt him lean up onto an elbow before gently turning her onto her back. Ophelia kept her eyes shut, making her breath even and slow, hoping it was enough to fool Auron.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm sorry I can't tell you what you want to hear. It's not that I do not love you, but I can't let those feelings get in the way of what will happen in the end. I care far too much for you for it to be healthy, and it eats away at me, knowing I can never tell you." He paused and she felt him brush a lock of hair from her face. "I just wish I could tell you this when you're awake, but I find that it's not easy to express feelings anymore. I'm a broken man, Ophelia. Just please, try and love someone else. Yes, it will hurt more than I can say to see you with anyone but myself, but it is the way it must be, Little One." He pressed his lips against her forehead and lowered himself next to her, and she felt his fingers tangle with her own. "Sleep sweet, young one."
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They watched as their summoners disappeared into the chambers, nerves on edge. A revelation from Yuna about Seymour had set them all on mark, each coiled and ready to spring.
"I can't believe he killed his own father." Lulu shook her head and sighed. "We can't let Ophelia marry him. The man is completely insane."
"I agree." Everyone shot Auron a sour look, but he continued. "I have a bad feeling that this will all end badly. Let us hope that it will not."
Hours passed in silence, and finally, Ophelia emerged from her chamber, her back straight. "I've done it."
"Hey, you didn't tumble down the steps this time, good job!" Tidus grinned up at her, and she returned it.
"Hey, I'm getting better." She trotted down the steps and came to stand next to Rikku. "I hope Yuna gets done soon. We need to get moving."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Certainly. Killing fiends is one thing. Killing a Maester of Ygvon…It's a bit different." Auron sent Ophelia a narrow glance. "We're going to branded as murderer's after all."
"It's not my fault that guy's as crazy as a bedbug." Ophelia straighted her shoulders as Yuna stepped out of her own chamber. "We do this for Spira, and it's funny. Two weeks ago, I could've cared less. But now…." She glanced around at the others. "I care."
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Amanda: There ya go!
Auron: *grumble*
Amanda: Ignore him. Chapter 11 coming soon.